SIOS is hosting a Multidisciplinary workshop on snow in Svalbard during
autumn 2020/winter 2020-21 at Bologna, Italy. Due to the uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have not yet fixed a date yet. We will update this information as soon as possible and latest in early autumn 2020. We invite scientists from all disciplines affected by snow, local stakeholders in Svalbard and enterprises interested in the development of scientific sensors and technology suitable for measuring snow properties under Arctic conditions.
Snow covers all of Svalbard for up to nine months and affects all spheres of the Earth System. However, we still lack a holistic picture of snow processes and need to develop tools to monitor these processes, and assess risks associated with snow.
This workshop aims to bring together people from different disciplines and backgrounds in order to develop specific targeted initiatives related to snow science in Svalbard.
The focus will be on activities that:
– provide answers to snow related science questions*
– help to develop risk assessment tools (avalanches, floods)
– help to develop technologies that can be used to address the above
– develop data management and metadata creation processes that ensure proper archiving, dissemination, and communication
The workshop will comprise two sections, (1) drafting of a roadmap for snow research in Svalbard, and (2) discussions on technology development, and will include panel discussions, selected short scientific talks, and discussions in small groups.
* Currently, topics include snow physics and remote sensing, snow chemistry (aerosols), and the need for standardised parameters as well as field data for modelling parameterisation.